The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-10-28
"Do you think he would sue

'f6uutr KNOWS futt COubiuucu uuo
Colonel land he knows my peculiari-
ties. One OF my pecnliarities, as you
all know, is fondness for the shot
gun. The shot gun, gentlemen, is
great regulator. 1t will settle u dii-
ference OF opinion quicker than any
thing else. No, have never been
sued, nor refused credit, and such q
thing is not likely to occur"
There was an appreciative silence,
broken only by few abmiring express
sions OF approval. The Colonel laid
his hand in a. friendly way on my
knee.
81 am worth, ! suppose, fully two
hundred and fifty thousand dollars"
said he but | owe something like
three hundred and fifty thousand dol
lars. Yet nobody sues me, and no
body thinks OF it. and my credit is
first-class. What do you think Of
that"
suggested that the people had con-
fidence in him.
"That's the secret" replied the Col
onel. "That is all there is it. They
know my views, my peculiarities, and
they have confidence in me. Now, II
credit is the life OF trade, confidence is
the life OF credit. The man who de-
stroys confidence in meruins my cred.
it, breakes ME up. just the same as
kills me, and by Cd, for such con.
duct would kill any man that walks
| the earthl"
"And serve him right, too, Cunnle,"
chimed in Mr.. Duke. ppm with you"
The unanimity of sentlment prevent.
ed discussion, and the colonePs po-
lite invitation to accompany him to
the bar was accepted with alacrity.
Those are mine, Zeb, he said with
q graceful wave OF his hand, after we
had imbibed our various beverages.
Don't mention it, sir. That's all
right" was Zeb's ready response, as
we all filed out OF the room.
eyes," remarked Mr.. Duke to me
that night, Colonel Arper is the
wust man ever struck. Strickly hon
ahblc, a puffick gentleman, but bad
| man sir, from way back"
ale seems to have very little re-
gard for human life" | ventured to
say.
"Well, that's when he's imposed up
on" explained Mr.. Duke. Hes
materially kind hearted and lib'ral,
but when he thinks man is trying to
crowd him, then look out for great
| snakesl"
"The shot gum" limited.
"Jesso. The shot gun, or the re-
volver, or the bowie knife. Why, sir,
I'll betcher the Cunnle's got not less
| than two revolvers two bowie knive
on him right now. Such a man Tor
secretin' concealed weepins, and
a.hidin, OF 'em in q various manner all
over his person never did see, s'elp
mel"
"Killed many around here?" |
| asked.
mo. Can't say he has. Bnt he
left reg'lar graveyard out IN Texas.
You see, he only came here some five
or six years ago to take the plantation,
when his father died and left it to
him.. So he hasn't been here very
long"
"Is it true that he is so deeply in
debit"
THAT'S nothin'," snorted Mr..
Duke. 1t's jest as he says. While
the people have confidence it's all
right. The Cunnle has been unlucky
in his speculations, and the keards al
ways 90 agin him, but what's the diff
ferenceP His words as good as his
bond?"
went to bed and dreamed that the
Colonel had been sued, and that he
had shot the plaintiff dead in the
courtroom, and had been serenaded
by his enthusiastic fellow citizens.
The next morning had not been on
the piazza five minutes before Colonel
Arper made his appearance with sew.
eral companions. They were fresh
from the bar, and had all been drink
ing heavily.
As they passed me the Colonel spoke
in an angry tone to one OF the party,
a stranger who had evidently just ar
rived.
"If your remark was PERSONAL" he
said, "Pll be blanked if | don't"
Personal" answered the other qui.
city. "Take it that way If 1t suits
you am sure 1t is all the same to
me-"
The shock partly sobered Colonel
Arper. He Strengthened himself and
threw his hand back to his hip pocket.
For Gods sake" whispered Mr..
Duke to the stranger, take keer. The
Cinnle's wild thus mornin'. He'll kill
you if you don't apologize"
"Pve sized him up" said the stran.
ger. LET him alone. can clean
out dozen like him."
Everybody fell back to give the two
men clear field.
Colonel Arper drew his pistol.
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